1 Corinthians 11-The Lords Table Part 2

2 Replies

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.1 Corinthians 11:23-26

As I said previously , the Apostle Paul actually spent alot of time teaching on The Lord’s Supper or Communion, or if you want to call it the Eucharist. This has been a foundational sacrament since the early Church. As we talked in my previous post, Paul rebuked those who didn’t practice Communion in a Worthy Manner. When we partake in Communion, we should examine ourselves and make sure our heart is right with God

Now the question is “Should we practice Communion at all?” There are alot of Christians who neglect The Lord’s Table, the Apostle Paul repeats the commandments of Christ multiple times “Do this in remembrance of Me” When Jesus tells us to do something, we should do it, right? As Christ said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) 

The Apostle Paul echoes Jesus’ teaching on Communion (Luke 22) The bread is symbolic of the body of Christt, broken for our sins. The Cup is symbolic of the blood Jesus Christ shed for the atonement of our sins, and is the sign of the New Covenant. Many believe and assume baptism is the sign of the New Covenant, however I dont find scriptural support for this. I believe the blood of Christ is the sign of the New Covenant, without the blood of The Lamb there is no remission for our sins

Paul makes another statement here, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup” Now this statement would imply that Christians would be practicing this often, right? So why are there so many Christians that neglect The Lords Table? Not only did Jesus say “Do this in remembrance of me” And Paul said “As often as you partake in the bread and cup” This is a perpetual remembrance of what The Lord has done for us, until Christ returns

When we come to The Lord’s Table to partake, we should do so in a worthy manner with a clean heart to God, we will look  tomorrow at Paul’s extended teachings on this behavior! 

1 Corinthians 11- The Lords Table Part 1

1 Reply

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 1 Corinthians 11:17-20

One thing that is very clear about the Apostle Paul, is that he doesn’t mince words, he was a straight shooter. Notice how he rebukes the Church of Corinth here, he says “I praise you not, that you come together not for the better , but for the worse” Most Pastors would be encouraging their people to come to Church, however these Christians at Corinth, it was better they didn’t even come! I’m sure some of us probably could relate to a Church like this we know.

What was the problem here? Isn’t  “Going to Church” a good thing? Well not if you are doing it in an unworthy manner. If you are not going to Church , with the love of God in your heart, you’re not going for the right reasons. We don’t just gather with Christians to check off a box, we go to worship and fellowship with the body of Christ.  Paul was saying when alot of these “Christians” in Corinth got together, there was actually more problems than good

So what were some of the problems, well Paul lists divisions and heresies, doesn’t that sound familiar in todays Church? Satan loves to divide the Church, Satan loves to plant new ideas in the minds of prideful people and run with it. Today we have over 40,000 different denominations of Christianity, how did we get to this point? 

One command Paul did give to these divided Christians, “therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper” Now there are a few things we can take away from this, First having Communion or the Lord’s Supper, was a common practice in the early Church. I only say this because there are many Christians today, who have seemed to abandon the sacrament all together. I think it’s a shame, if you have never broken bread with the body of Christ, it’s a powerful practice

Secondly, The Lord’s Supper is to be taken seriously and in reverence. On one hand we don’t want to forbid the children from coming to The Lord (Matthew 19:14) but on the other hand we should make sure those partaking are Christians and understand the symbolism behind the elements

The Church of Corinth was abusing The Lord’s Supper as a time to eat and get drunk. We should inject some historical context here also. Communion was not the same as we know it today in the Church, The Lord’s Supper was an actual meal together , more similar to a “pot luck dinner” most Churches have today, it was known as a Agape Feast. So many people in Corinth would just come to the Lords Supper to get a free meal, and have no reverence for The Lord Jesus Christ at all

We will continue more on this topic in my next post, but remember when coming to The Lords Table, examine yourself and make sure your heart is right with God , Amen!

1 Corinthians 11- Followers of Christ

1 Reply

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 1 Corinthians 11:1-8

 The Bible tells us that Satan is the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) So knowing this, it’s not surprising everything the world pushes for is against the nature of God. When we read these scriptures today by Paul, it’s probably highly offensive to most people, because everyone has been so conditioned by the world what to think or believe. It’s ingrained in our minds, however the belief system of this world is Satanic in origin.

If you don’t believe me just read what the Holy Spirit revealed to the Apostle Paul here, “the head of the woman is man” I can see the riots going on in the streets right now, how offensive, how dare Paul make such a statement! However this is the wisdom of God and not of this world. So Paul starts by saying “Be followers or imitators of me, as I am of Christ” Paul is teaching these principles, not because he has a masculine agenda, but because it was revealed to him by Christ, who is our Lord

We worship a God of law and order, that’s just a fact. God is not the author of confusion or chaos. So there has to be an order to humanity, Paul reveals it here, Christ is above man, and man is above the woman. Why? Because if you remember , the woman was created from man. This is a creation, authoritative order designed by God. I know there are many people who don’t like it, or rebel against it, but that’s Gods design, again if you are going to be a follower of Christ, you should imitate Christ

Now you might ask, what is up with the head coverings? Again going back to the authoritative order, Christ, Man, and Woman. It’s a sign of respect and reverence, the long hair of a woman symbolizes the head covering. Again, I know there are a million arguments against this teaching, but again this is the inspired Word of God, if you have an issue with it, take it up to God, allow the Holy Spirit to further reveal the purpose to your heart

The bottom line is if Jesus is our Lord, he is our Master, imitate Christ, be a true Born Again follower of Jesus, Amen!

1 Corinthians 10- Glory to God

5 Replies

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 1 Corinthians 10:23-30

As Born Again Christians in Christ, we have freedom in Christ. Jesus set us Free, not only from the wrath of sin, but from every chain that Satan wants to bind us down with (John 8) As the Apostle Paul says “All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient, beneficial, or edifying”  As Paul will later say “Whatever we do, we should do for the glory of God” (v31)

But you do something, ask yourself, does this glorify God? Are you being the hands and feet of Christ, are you the Salt and Light that we are called to be? (Matthew 5) I like what Paul says here also “For the Earth is The Lords” Amen! Christians get so wrapped up in whether something is pagan or should we eat kosher stuff, the bottom line is everything belongs to The Lord. Jesus Christ is King of all KIngs, every knee will bow before him, there is nothing that above The Lord or not under Christs authority

So why is my liberty judged of another mans conscience, as Paul said. If you are convicted to not eat pork or if you don’t want to celebrate Christmas, don’t condemn other believers because of your conscience. We are now under the Law of Christ and not the Mosaic Law in the New Covenant

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.  1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Whatever we do , do it for the glory of God, what we think , what we drink, what we speak about, everything should be to glorify our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!